Pro Football Hall of Fame Athletes Share Messages of Hope, Resilience with Dallas Youth

Four Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan and Sandy Hook Promise, to share life experiences and messages of compassion with nearly 1,000 teens from the Dallas area

ARLINGTON, Texas, Oct. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan, and Sandy Hook Promise teamed up to host a Strong Youth Strong Communities (SYSC) Summit at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Led by Hall of Famers Darrell Green, Aeneas Williams, Drew Pearson and Anthony Muñoz as well as former UNC Women's Basketball player Iman McFarland, SYSC is based on the premise that investing in today's youth can yield generational returns and positively impact communities. The program hosted nearly 1,000 teens, representing multiple school districts and charter schools, and included opening remarks by the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Artis Stevens. 

With Texas experiencing a surge of behavioral and mental health challenges among its school-aged population, the summit focused on the situations impacting the mental and emotional wellbeing of students. The former athletes were able to share with attendees their real-life stories, life lessons and methods for success.

"Too often young people feel embarrassment or shame when talking about their own episodes of fear, isolation and depression. This avoidance only makes more challenging what is already a difficult situation," said Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green, who spent 20 seasons with the Washington Redskins. "Through Strong Youth Strong Communities, we're educating youth about the importance of speaking openly about mental health and empowering them to improve their lives and communities."

The youth summit featured interactive breakout sessions, where attendees discussed what they face in school, communities, and within their families as well as issues that are important to them. Attendees then had an opportunity to share what they learned during the summit and what they're taking back to their community.

"We know many teenagers may be struggling with a variety of health-related and social issues, so being able to offer them tools and resources through events like this is one way we can make a positive difference in their lives," said Mitch Wasden, President and CEO of Superior HealthPlan. "We'd like to thank the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Sandy Hook Promise for their partnership to make this Strong Youth Strong Communities event a success."

Teens told organizers they came away from the event inspired and with a new perspective on mental health challenges, keen to help their friends and others in their communities with any difficulties they are facing.

"The impact we're making here in Dallas as a partner of Strong Youth Strong Communities shows how powerful it can be when young people hear stories that reflect their lived experiences," said Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. "At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we know that when it comes to supporting youth mental health outcomes, the power of mentorship is key. By having conversations with young people and centering their voices, we're not just changing individual lives, we're transforming entire communities."

About Strong Youth Strong Communities
SYSC is a nationwide campaign led by Centene Corporation, in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, national non-profit organizations, and local community service providers to bring teens together to learn life and leadership skills that help unlock their potential. To learn more, please visit www.strongystrongc.com.

About the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Greatest of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence Together.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum's commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters' evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: bbbs.org. 

About Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan
Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan serves under-insured and uninsured populations through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace®. Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan includes exclusive provider organization (EPO) products that are underwritten by Celtic Insurance Company, and HMO products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. These companies are each Qualified Health Plan issuers in Texas. For more information, visit ambetter.com/en/tx/. This is a solicitation for insurance. For information on your right to receive an Ambetter from Superior HealthPlan free of discrimination, or your right to receive language, auditory and/or visual assistance services, please visit https://www.ambetterhealth.com/en/ and scroll to the bottom of the page.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation , a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to more than 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace.

SOURCE Strong Youth Strong Communities